FG Launches Nationwide Cloves Farming Programme to Empower 74,000 Farmers in 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated its maiden nationwide cloves farming programme for the 2026 wet season, aiming to engage over 74,000 farmers across the country. The initiative seeks to expand cloves production, tapping into growing domestic and international demand from the food and pharmaceutical industries. The programme will cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marking a major step toward commercial cloves cultivation in Nigeria.
Revealing details of the scheme at the North-West Farmers Training of Trainers Workshop in Zaria, the Cloves Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria said at least 2,000 farmers from each state and the FCT would participate in the pilot phase. National Coordinator Abdullahi Shuaibu emphasized that cloves can thrive in diverse ecological zones, making large-scale cultivation feasible nationwide.
Each participating farmer will receive improved seeds and essential farming inputs to cultivate half a hectare of cloves. Shuaibu explained that the programme is expected to not only enhance local production but also position Nigeria as the second African country, after Zanzibar in Tanzania, to produce cloves commercially. This move could boost foreign exchange earnings and create employment opportunities for youths.
Kaduna State Treasurer of the association, Maijidda Abdulkadir, highlighted that states would leverage existing strengths in spice farming, such as ginger, to maximize the benefits of the programme. She stressed that the initiative would reduce poverty, empower women farmers, and called on state governments to ensure sustainable support. Improved clove seeds have already been secured from Tanzania for distribution.
Prof. Mukhtar Abdullah of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, unveiled a comprehensive training manual covering cultivation techniques, market analysis, and international best practices. Stakeholders believe the initiative will not only strengthen rural economies but also create sustainable income streams for women and youths, potentially transforming Nigeria from a net importer to a future exporter of cloves.
source: The Sun